Caroline Sekulic farms at Rycroft, Alta., where she and her husband Nick are

raising three teenagers alongside cereals, oilseeds, and pulses.

While all of the crops she grows are largely exported, Caroline has a partic-

ular passion for pulses, which includes chickpeas, lentils, peas, and beans. On

her farm, she grows yellow peas and has also grown faba beans.

“Pulses are of special interest to me because they help fertilize the soil, are

water-efficient, and are a practical source of protein and nutrition.” she says.

“They are already a staple food in most countries where food security and

access are issues. They are also versatile and can be added to so many foods

to improve the nutritional profile,” she says.

Caroline says that free trade is absolutely essential, not just for her farm,

but for sustainable food-production systems to thrive. “The world can only

have proper food access if trade is unimpeded.”

Read Caroline’s full profile at www.cafta.org/trade-is-my-future

Caroline SekulicAlberta pulse grower

“TRADE IS MY FUTURE”• In 2015, 99% of the pulses produced in Canada

were exported. In that year, Canada exported 6 million tonnes of pulses worth nearly $4.2 billion

• Canada exports its pulses to over 120 countries. By value, Canada’s largest export market is India, accounting for 36% of total exports in 2015

• Did you know? Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils. Canada is responsible for 40.7% of world lentil production (2014 FAO) and 76.8% of world lentil exports (2015)

• In 2015, Canada exported approximately $428 million (512,646 tonnes) of pulses, pulse flours, and pulse fractions to Trans-Pacific Partnership members. Combined, TPP members would be Canada’s second largest market for pulses